If you’re someone who celebrates Easter, let’s talk about how we can make it a more sustainable and enjoyable holiday. Traditional Easter festivities often involve excessive waste, with plastic grass, excessive candy, and harmful dyes. So, let’s break it down into three categories: decor, food, and waste elimination. Now, I get it, it might be overwhelming to make all the changes at once, but trust me, even making a few changes can truly make a difference. So, let’s dive in and make this Easter season a little kinder to the environment!

Sustainable Decorations:

• Natural Decor: When it comes to creating sustainable Easter decorations, I personally love to begin with natural elements. Not only do they have a timeless charm, but they can also be easily composted or creatively reused for future celebrations. Incorporating plants, in particular, adds a touch of freshness and vibrant colors to brighten up this sometimes gloomy time of year! Check out Matta I. on Pinterest for sustainable easter decor ideas.

• DIY Decor: In the spirit of being creative with our decorations, let’s talk about homemade decor! It’s similar to natural decor but with a twist. Instead of just focusing on nature-inspired items, we can think about using things we already have in our homes to add a personal touch to our spaces. For example, you could repurpose your candle holders by placing colorful Easter eggs on them instead of candles. Or, take an old small wreath and turn it into a cozy spring bird’s nest for a unique decor piece. Remember, a Christmas tree is only a Christmas tree because of the decorations we put on it. So why not transform it into a vibrant spring or Easter tree by using different kinds of decor? Let your imagination and personal style shine through! Check out Country Livings 61 DIY Easter Decorating Ideas That Are Simply Charming for some Easter decor repurposing ideas.

Easter Eggs:

Now let’s talk about Easter Eggs! Easter eggs are such a versatile part of the holiday. They can be used as decorations, enjoyed as a fun activity, and even savored as a delicious treat. That’s why I think it’s important to give Easter eggs their own special category. We can explore different aspects like dyeing, decorating, eating, and even some unique alternatives to traditional eggs. Let’s dive into this exciting topic together!

• Dying Easter Eggs: Hey, did you know that you can actually dye eggs naturally using ingredients from your fridge? It’s such a cool and fun science project, especially if you involve your kids! Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach them about resourcefulness and using what you have. For example, you can make an awesome Easter egg dye using red cabbage, water, and vinegar. Personally, I think it’s amazing! You can even use the outer leaves of the cabbage to create the dye and then use the rest of the cabbage to whip up a delicious meal. Such a clever way to make the most of everything! I will offer up the warning, the natural dying method can affect the flavor of the eggs, but since the dyes are natural, it’s not going to harm you to eat them. This method also takes longer than dying eggs using dye tablets. Check out the kitchen’s How To Dye Easter Eggs Using Ingredients You Already Have at Home, to learn the method.
• Decorating Eggs: If you’re interested in adding a touch of decoration to your eggs, you could give a shot at incorporating pressed flowers. It’s a wonderful way to make your eggs look more natural and aesthetically pleasing, and the best part is that you can still eat them! There are actually two methods I’ve come across for this. One is simply using glue to attach the pressed flowers to your eggs, while the other involves using pantyhose to hold a small plant against the egg while it’s being dyed, leaving a lovely pattern behind. Instead of using wallpaper adhesive as suggested by some, I’d personally suggest trying rice glue or any other edible glue. Give it a try and see how beautifully your eggs turn out! To read on how to glue flowers to your easter eggs check out Cloverhomes article Natural dye Easter eggs with pressed flowers.  To read about using fresh plants to leave impressions on your easter eggs, check out mygardenlife.com’s article Decorate eggs using plants and natural dyes. Also here is a link to making rice glue.

• Egg Alternatives: Did you know that there are actually many egg alternatives that are super sustainable? You can find them in materials like ceramic, plastic, paper, and even moss! If you’re planning to use them for multiple years, it’s important to store them properly. I would suggest coming up with a storage plan and considering buying used ones before getting new ones. Also, think about how often you’ll actually use the eggs. For example, an Easter decoration can actually double as a spring decoration, making it more sustainable than something that’s only used for Easter. Hope that helps!

Easter Baskets:

How about we talk about Easter baskets? They’re not only great for collecting eggs and giving presents, but they also make for cute decorations. You know what? You don’t even need a fancy, special basket for Easter. I actually use a basket that I normally use for gathering produce from my garden, and guess what? It doubles up as my Easter basket too! And here’s a cool extra: I actually found this basket at a flea market. So, a regular basket can serve so many purposes and be used for decorations all year round. Pretty awesome, right?

I’m sure you’re all familiar with Easter grass, right? It’s those cute little colorful plastic strands we often use for festive decorations. But if you’re looking to switch things up, let’s explore some alternatives! You could try using shredded paper or fabric, or go for a more natural approach using moss or straw.

Oh, and if you already have some Easter grass lying around, don’t toss it away just yet! There are plenty of creative ways to repurpose it. You could use it for some fun and stylish decorations, or even use it as a filler for a cute pillow. The possibilities are endless!

Sustainable Easter Food!:

• Use what you have: When it comes to your Easter Meals, why not get creative with what you already have? If you used red cabbage to dye your easter eggs, how about making a delicious braised red cabbage? And don’t forget those hard-boiled eggs, they would be perfect for some mouthwatering deviled eggs. Now, if you used beets to dye some eggs, why not try a refreshing berry-beet salad, or if you feel like it, indulge in a tasty honey beet bread? The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild and see what amazing dishes you can come up with!
• Shop Local, Shop Organic: If you’re looking to get some food for your celebration, why not consider going for organic and local options? They’re always a great choice! Oh, and here’s a little tip for hosting: try making just a little less food than you think you need. This way, you can minimize food waste or even plan for your guests to take some leftovers home. I like to think of my party favors as being leftovers! I usually give my guests a heads-up to bring a container for the yummy extras but don’t worry if they forget because I always have some handy mason jars to pack them in.

• Now, I totally get that shopping local or organic might not always be the easiest, whether it’s due to budget constraints or a lack of options. No worries, though! You can always do what you can with the resources available to you. For example, in my area, April isn’t exactly the best time for local produce, so I often rely on the generosity of my friends’ pantries or canned goods from last year’s garden. Hey, it’s all about making the best of what we have, right?
• Plant-Based: I just wanted to touch base on the importance of including plant-based food in our diets to promote sustainability. While I personally believe in the value of plant-based options, I don’t think we need to completely eliminate meat from our meals. For example, during Easter, I have a lovely tradition of enjoying pork and sauerkraut. However, this year I plan on making a smaller portion and also preparing a delicious plant-based alternative for my guests to try.

Ultimately, it’s about creating a sustainable environment not only for our planet but also for ourselves. Making drastic changes can sometimes alienate our guests and hinder the potential for positive change. So, let’s aim to foster a welcoming atmosphere of growth and inclusivity!

Waste Reduction:

• Composting: If you’re looking to decrease the amount of waste you produce, have you considered giving composting a shot? It’s actually pretty awesome because there are so many different types and styles to choose from. Just make sure you do a little research beforehand so you can find the perfect fit for you. To read up on the different types of composting check out: Feed the Dirt to save the Earth.

• Table Ware: A great tip to help minimize waste is to switch to using permanent tableware. I understand that it might mean washing more dishes and using more water, but trust me, it’s still better for the environment than using disposable paper plates or styrofoam. If you’re hosting a large gathering, you could also consider using compostable plates and dishes, or even ask your guests to bring their own utensils. Let’s work together to make a positive impact!

Happy Sustainable Easter!

Embracing a sustainable Easter doesn’t mean giving up on the joy and traditions of the holiday. You can still have a fabulous celebration filled with Easter eggs, baskets, delicious meals, and all the festive fun, while also being conscious of our impact on the environment. By making small changes in our decorations, egg choices, waste management, and more, we can create an eco-friendly and festive celebration. Let’s celebrate the season of renewal and also renew our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. Wishing you a happy and eco-friendly Easter!